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46 thoughts on “Momentum: What it is and 5 Ways to Get It”

Momentum is moving forward with a twinkle and a sparkle in each step feeling and breathing success in the air, waking up to each morning with a passion and looking forward to each day. Who won’t follow a leader that can pass that kind of positivity and optimism. It only takes a spark to get the fire going !

Your best post in my opinion since I found ya Dan.
Good question too.
Leaders do not build momentum, their followers do.
Know most do not really get this and it is a wittle out there for most BUT we are energy systems. We radiate good vibrations or bad, we secrete stuff, enzymes and what not.
We are the most amazing of the BIG Energy Source in the Sky, if you will. Plus the most complex of what we are aware of do far.
Point is and no I do not partake in hippy lettuce, just have an open, curious mind. Point is it really all boils down to energy.
Luke, Luke….be a force for good and the force will be with ya!!! Lol
In my opinion they help in the process by hiring the right people, people who believe what they believe.
Great post thanks Dan.

Hi Dan;
What a great topic. Unlike motivation, building and keeping momentum takes sustained effort. The leader acts alot like a coach where momentum is concerned. The leader remains vigilant for obstacles thinking two to three steps ahead, making sure resources and manpower is availiable to tackle futrue issues. Leaders need to be there for critical decsion making but otherwise can take a back seat and allow the team ot work, grow, and build continuity. Never underestimate the effectiveness of a sincere ‘atta-boy’. When present show confidence, speak with confidence, and if your happy with progress, “don’t forget to tell your face, it’s ok to smile”.

Vindicating post. When I assess a project I evaluate velocity and momentum. Velocity is measured completions vs plan. Momentum is as you described it. Momentum leads to velocity. Velocity isn’t sustainable without momentum. On projects you need both. Momentum is more important. Thanks.

Thanks Doc. Writing this post made me think about the difference between employing a technique to generate excitement and building real momentum. YOu can get excited and not do anything. Momentum, on the other hand, requires action. And as you indicate, authentic action.

Project managers that focus on paperwork rather than people and progress are momentum killers. They are much more concerned with proving they did all the ‘right’ things, rather than actually making progress towards the goal.

I meet with each of my project teams weekly with the explicit intention of our “moving forward together,” with the focus on the project’s mission, by solving problems, resolving issues, removing obstacles, and providing resources. We plan our work for the week and commit to work the plan. At the end of each meeting I inquire directly if there is anything that someone doesn’t like, speak now, or carry out our agreements.

Paul, imagine if you dual coded those activities?
Only thing that does is enhance memory and comprehension.
Think that would benefit you and your teams?
It is kinda like being farsighted or nearsighted and adding glasses.
Send me a few goals, they do not have to have anything to do with what you are working on, just for example sake. I will create them in a dual coding format and you can understand better what I am talking about.
Free, just the time it takes you to email me.
Cya, either that or do the best you can with the nearsighted, farsighted thingy.
SP
EA

Hello Dan, You say: Momentum is a series of successful endings. I completely agree. This is how I (and the team) see continual improvement. Our goal, our intent, is to get better and better. Momentum propels the team forward. Our intention was to create that momentum … not only for us but others too. As ever, Martin

In regards to #3 for momentum busters, “Separating deliverables from people.” One could replace people with individuals. I find having a single point of accountability for each piece of the project defines responsibilities to minimize confusion.

Everyone has heard of Momentum and even seen it—especially when it changes. But not many can explain its reality. We know Momentum is an energy, a force, an impetus that can change moment by moment via an energy 4-times greater (the Inverse Square Law) than that to be overcome. We see this change most profoundly in sporting events, when a team is behind, and all of the sudden the momentum of the game changes, the losing team attains this positive nature, picks up energy as well as points. The same is true in business and personal life too: Things change as a result of positive energy that is 4-times greater than before.
Momentum, then, is the visible energy of our effort in moving toward our goal. The moment we choose to create Momentum, we change outcome.

Obvious you got a big brain RM!!!! Big props for your big brain!! Another obvious thing I observe is you use it!!! Even bigger props for that!!!
Just wanted to add that a thought does not really change anything. It can start a process but if not followed up with like thoughts combined with emotion, just an idle thought passing through.
Read in my research that if we get the thought humming for 17 seconds it gets where it needs to to begin its journey to becoming effective.
Well 17 for one thought??? Long thought!! Lol So I got to train my brain to learn to repeat thoughts, add intense emotion, experience results.
The brain is like any other muscle and it is NOT practice it needs to produce its best result. It is PERFECT practice that produces the most effective, beneficial results.
Great add though, very impressed with your heart and big ole brain.
SP
EA

Thank you, EffectivenessActivator–especially for your comment about my heart. Have you heard this before: “Readers make the read.” Dan and Leadership Freak is truly a “Think Tank,” Dan is a very, very bright guy. What he writes and how he writes in a few short sentences is so intriguing to me that it freaks me out. What also freaks me out is the quality of readers or audience that respond and the quality of comments…you guys dwarf any of Harvard’s MBA courses. Take, for example, your comment back to me. You
first prefaced your comment by basically saying I am sort-of an “intellectual giant, but an emotional dwarf.” Then you told me why…for which I humbly stand corrected. Note, because I respect this forum so very much–otherwise I’d be out and about–I try to bring dimension and expanse to the varied comments. Thanks again.

Thanks Rick. Interesting take on this. I’ll add that one must accomplish something as well as choosing to feel momentum. We may be able to feel excitement without doing anything but momentum is a response to taking action.

I understand, Dan. Momentum is its own accomplishment. The coach or leader doesn’t create Momentum except to tell one’s team to “Go for it. Win! Shoot your butt off. Play with reckless abandon.” When the team is unleashed–unshackled from the plan that hasn’t worked–like the hail-Mary pass, for example–I believe the gates of Momentum are opened for moment to moment achievements that lead to overall success. This is the vision I see in your post here and in even in your last post on disruption leadership: Leaders not only free staff but give their “the right to perform.”

Work together, work hard, keep score. Learn and build mo from a loss, celebrate together & build mo on a win. It’s alright to spike the ball, just don’t be so quick to throw the ball into the stands until the HUGE win comes.

Give every win the proper celebration it deserves. Not too much, not too little. Too much makes you look arrogant or unbelievable and at worst desperate. Desperate celebrations smell like flowers at a funeral. They look good, but something in the room isn’t quite right.

If you celebrate too little, you simply waste a great opportunity to build off of it.

Invite / promote the win by celebrating others contributions to the win but also by inviting others to celebrate with you.

Cast more vision in the moment, in proper doses as you celebrate the successful “finishes.”

Keep the next win in sight. “The game isn’t over yet, but we sure did kick some butt on that play…now somebody help me plan the next end zone dance.”